IN WIN Commander 1200W Power Supply Review

Introduction:

If you were lucky enough to get two 4870X2 graphics cards from Santa and you intend running them in crossfire you are likely to need a new power supply. Research tells me a pair of these cards will pull somewhere in the region of 500W, so what size of power supply do you need? First consider the power requirements of a single 4870X2 graphics card. Many manufacturers will quote a 12V rail current or recommend a minimum power supply wattage, a quick look on the Internet and the first branded 4870X2 card I came across recommends a 650W power supply. Run two in crossfire and that's an awful lot of power! Is the quoted power supply wattage realistic? Probably not, but the graphic card manufacturers have to cover all bases. The 650W power supply comes in many forms, from the low end generic models to high end units costing several hundred dollars. The former won't deliver 650W and the latter will do it with ease, and this I feel is one reason graphic card manufacturers tend to recommend on the high side. So how many watts do we need for two 4870X2 in crossfire? Realistically a good quality 680-750W unit will probably do the job but there won't be much room to spare. If anybody asks me for a recommendation then I would say a 1000-1200W unit without hesitation. Why? I am a member of the run cool, quiet and efficiently school of thought and with a 1000 - 1200W power supply under the hood you do all three. Cool, because the power supply isn't stressed, quiet because the fan isn't at full throttle and efficiently because the power supply is running at approximately 50% of its rated output during heavy gaming. Let's also not forget the money invested in these two graphics cards. Do you really want to install a poor quality power supply of inadequate power output? This is my slant on things although I'm sure not everybody will agree. Let's have a look at a high power 1200W unit.

IN-WIN Development Inc., an ISO 9001 manufacturer of professional computer chassis, power supplies and digital storage devices, is the leading provider of enclosure solutions to system integrators worldwide. Founded in 1986, IN-WIN provides high quality chassis that conform to all safety regulations, as well as unsurpassed customer service

This time I will be looking at the IN WIN Commander 1200W power supply. Having recently looked at the 850W variant, which was a little disapointing - let's hope this one performs much better. This could be one of the power supplies I recommend for crossfired 4870X2's, let's have a closer look.....

Closer Look:

Similar to the previous 850W variant the IN WIN Commander 1200W comes in an even bigger ammunition box. The box is again finished in the same camouflage design with an IN WIN logo and power supply wattage in a yellow paint and stencil like design on the top of the box. On the base there is a list of features along with a detailed specification table.

The two side panels continue the camouflage theme with an IN WIN logo at their centres.

The camouflage design on the two end panels with small pictorial icons describing some of the main features of the IN WIN Commander 1200W on one panel and model number, barcodes and icons of the organisations for which the power supply has gained approval on the other.

Open up the box and the accessories are neatly stored above the foam protected power supply. Removal of the top foam cover reveals a neatly bubble wrapped power supply. Tucked in the space at the side there is a plastic sealed bag containing the modular cables, tie wrapped hard wired cables from the power supply and a cardboard box containing the power chord and four power supply mounting screws.

A bubbled wrapped IN WIN Commander 1200W out of the box and a photograph of the accessories. These include a user manual, black bag for storing the unused modular cables, white draw string bag bearing the In Win logo, for what I don't know, modular cable set and power cord box with mounting screws and three cable ties.

Overall the packaging offers good transit protection to the IN WIN Commander 1200W power supply and includes an accessory bundle on a par with most other units in its class. The review unit only came with three cable ties so come on IN WIN throw a few more in. The included white draw string bag remains a mystery, perhaps it's to keep the IN WIN Commander 1200W safe and snug if it's not fitted right away?